Visudhan Review

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Vysakh's 'Vishudhan' is a moralistic fable that has chosen as its protagonist a priest, thereby attempting to disguise a customary revenge tale under the garb of a controversial story. 2 out of 5 (Average)
| Veeyen

Rating: 2/5Nowrunning Critics: 2.0/5
| Users: 2.7/5

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Vysakh's 'Vishudhan' is a moralistic fable that has chosen as its protagonist a priest, thereby attempting to disguise a customary revenge tale under the garb of a controversial story. At the center of it, it is nothing more than one of those accounts where a man is forced to take upon evil single handedly, finally seeing to it that justice is served.

Father Sunny (Kunchacko Boban) is ordained as the new priest in a hamlet ruled over by Vavachan (Hareesh Peradi), and soon discovers that an old age home run by the rich man is just a cover to generate cadavers for his medical college. Sister Sophy (Mia George) offers the priest concrete evidence to support his doubts, and before they know it, the priest and the nun are accused of having an illicit relationship and are shown the door out, from the church.

The controversial element in 'Vishudhan' is likely to emerge out of nowhere, if and when the film is viewed as an affrontation on a religious institution and the principles and codes that it upholds. On the other hand, it could also be viewed as a tale of two individuals caught in the torrents of fate, who are forced to take decisions that transform them into two new entities.

What is unbelievable is the transformation that Sophy undergoes in no time; and there are occasions in the film, where she almost seems ecstatic at the decision that she has taken, with her straightened hair and chic clothes. That is perhaps a bit difficult to take in, especially since she was a devoted servant of the church not so long back.

While the former half of the film is fairly entertaining and does have its share of fine moments, the latter half degenerates into a messy account of a battle for justice. For most of its part, it fails to sustain your interest, and merely skims over from one predictable situation to the next.

As much as the music sounds soothing to the ears, it does feel a bit awkward to see this odd pair break into a song and groove routine, especially given the circumstances that they live in. And with a priest (Lal) who folds up his cassock to deliver a blow or two the unyielding, making an entry, the perfunctory story design seems all set for a decline.

This is perhaps Kunchacko Boban's best performance till date, and his efficiently restrained, and yet evocative performance is worth a standing applause. Mia George is quite effective as the nun who is thrown out of church, while Hareesh Peradi excels in the role of the baddie.

Some films are remembered for an actor, and 'Vishudhan' does have one such performer, whose name I have not yet been able to identify. This actor appears in the role of Krishnettan in the film, and the octogenarian with his stellar performance, leaves a lump in the viewers' throats. I also have a very special word of appreciation for Sasikumar, who appears in the role of a Bishop, and who is undoubtedly one of the most serene looking bishops whom we have ever seen on screen.

If 'Vishudhan' ultimately ends up being a formulaic piece of film making, it's because it sticks to the conventional mode. In fact, it does not go anywhere where you don't expect it to, and it refrains from taking up any risks along the way.